GUEST POSTING AND STILL WORKING ON THE TABLE

Good Morning! Today I’m over at Lori’s blog talking about my boys rooms

I’m also still working away on the table in my bedroom

I tried to clean the base just to see how it would look all shined up…

Below is what it looked like after I scrubbed the heck out of it… Yeah, not a good look

So I just gave up with that and started priming the top

Because this table is in my room and I didn’t want to haul it downstairs, I needed a primer to use that I didn’t need to sand the surface, and that did not have too much of an odor… This is where this goodness comes in!

I’m always asked about what primers I use on my different pieces.  I’ll try to post about the different ones.  I use about 3 or 4 different primers depending on the piece I’m working on…

Anyway, I primed the top of the table

And that was one coat… The coverage was really good!

Then I painted it the same white as the other white in my room and started adding the fabric.  Here is a sneak peek of that!

More about the table tomorrow!

Don’t forget to check me out on Lori’s blog!

GUEST BLOGGER: BluLabel Bungalow

Today I'm extra excited! Not only does Sex and the City 2 hit theaters today, but I was able to score one of the hottest rising bloggers to give you a sneak peek of the decor from the set! So, to not bore you with all my blabbering, I'll allow Erika to take it from here!


Hello everyone, this is Erika Ward from BluLabel Bungalow and I'm excited to be a guest blogger for Home to Three Duncan Boys! With high anticipation for the upcoming release of the movie Sex and the City 2, LaKeitha asked that I whip up a post based on the film.



When I view movies like this I usually have to see them twice; once for the story line, the second time for the interior design. What's better than getting a "home tour" of your favorite gal's apartment and gaining inspiration for your own home.

It seems new photos from the sets are being released daily. The ones you see below are images from the official website or shots I snagged from the movie trailer like this one of Carrie and Big's bedroom.

The apartment, boasting bold wallpaper patterns, luxurious fabrics, and amazing furniture was designed to reflect how Carrie would interpret them as a couple.

A big congrats to Hickory Chair for having two furniture pieces in the movie. The Hallings Secretary designed by Thomas O'Brien and the Hunt Chair designed by Suzanne Kasler. The wallpaper is the Rococo Damask by Cole and Sons, the bedding by Anichini.

And who could ever forget the closet from the last scene in the first movie? A fashionista's dream! Notice the difference between the two sides. Big's side has dark, masculine wood tones while Carrie's side has white cabinetry, ample closed storage up top and back lit shelving for her shoes.

NET-A-PORTER provided most of the clothes for Carrie's closet.

Moving on to the kitchen and dining room...You can't help but notice the electric blue tile backsplash against the bright white kitchen cabinets. I don't know the tile's source, but I would guess Ann Sacks. See the inset of what appears to be the same tile, but in a different color.

The fabric on the dining room chairs is gender neutral even with its feminine details. For all you couples fighting about home decor, see if you can find common ground with this print Bellgravia by Lee Jofa.



I can't wait to see more of the living room below...so sophisticated without being pretentious. Here we see more of the neutral color palette, the repeat of blue in the sofa, and now an infusion of color with this gorgeous accent pillow.

The Birdie Blossom Pillow / The Rug Company will cost you $495 for its handmade needlepoint detail, while the Anderson Chair by William Sonoma Home is a close substitute for Carrie's modern wing chair.



Everyone's sweetheart Charlotte is seen baking cute confections while wearing this playful Baker's Delight Apron from Anthropologie. At an easily affordable $32.00, these babies will be sold out by Saturday!

Again we see beautiful white cabinets this time in Charlotte's professional grade kitchen. This time around she's the mother of two little angels and I cannot wait to see her in action! Who else can bake cupcakes like she can wearing a vintage Valentino skirt?

This post could go on forever with scene after scene of fabulousness that will make you green with envy! I'm also looking forward to seeing scenes from the girls' vacation in Dubai as well as the elaborate wedding that takes place in New York! Are you planning to see Sex and the City 2? Which of the ladies apartments would you like to tour in person?


Thanks, Erika! I wouldn't mind seeing all of their homes! But, if I had to choose, I'd pick Carrie so I could get a peek at that fabulous closet! I can not wait to see this movie later today! Who else is making plans to see the movie?!

GUEST BLOGGER: ISABELLA & MAX ROOMS

Hi Guys!
I'm away for the week, but don't worry, I have a great line up of ladies to hold you over until I return! First up is Janell. It's no secret that she is one of my blog buddies and I'm so excited to have her share some tips on choosing the right paint color for your home! Take it away Janell!

Thanks Lakeitha for inviting me to be a guest blogger, while you enjoy a little down time with your family!


When Lakeitha suggested selecting paint colors as a possible post topic, I felt the same way I feel when a client asks for advice on paint colors! Anxious!! I really believe selecting the right paint color is one of the hardest aspects of creating a great room. The endless choices can create confusion. On top of this issue, colors rarely look the same on paint chips as they do on your own walls.

What I've learned, since starting my design business Isabella & Max, is that selecting paint colors often involves quite a bit of trail and error: select the colors, test the colors, tweak your choices, test again and hopefully find a winner!

So while I wish I had a magic formula for picking the perfect color each and every time, I don't. But here are some tips I've learned over the years, which will hopefully help make the process less frustrating and intimidating.

Tip #1

Before heading out to the paint store, first look around your home.

What colors are you drawn to? Are there colors already present in your home that you are loving, in a fabric, an accessory, a piece of furniture or artwork?


Also, look in your closet. Do you see that there are colors you are repeatedly drawn to?

Tip #2

Visit your favorite paint store and invest in a fan deck.


Having a fan deck will allow you to see the whole range of color options in your home. (Or simply clear out the paint chip display, to potential disgruntled looks sent your way by a salesperson.) How a color looks on a paint chip in the store will have nearly nothing to do with how the color will look in your home. The lighting is not the same, and the specific colors and finishes in your home will be reflected on the color, making it appear unique in your space.

Tip #3

Select your top color choices and test them...before you begin buying gallons of paint!


Once home hold the paint chips up against the walls, as well as the furniture, carpet, trim work and other items to remain in the space. Select two or three favorite colors. Next test these colors on the wall. Fortunately, many paint companies now sell pouches or test size samples of their paints.

I would highly recommend not jumping directly into your painting project prior to testing the colors. I've made this mistake before when painting a kitchen, as I'll share below.

Tip #4

Prime first.


First prime an area with white primer, in the room you want to select a paint color for, and then test the color here. Why do this? How the tested paint colors look will be significantly effected by the wall color that you are testing over. If your walls are white, you are ahead of the game!

In my kitchen painting fiasco, I originally wanted to paint the room Devine Color's Devine Blade, a fresh beautiful green. However, the color looked horrible when I tested it on top of the muted tan color the kitchen was currently painted. It caused the green to take on a neon appearance.

So instead I decided to paint the kitchen yellow. Random, I know. In the course of a week I painted the kitchen, each and every inch of the walls, three times, each attempt selecting what I hoped would be the right shade of yellow. I got so frustrated that finally I decided to start over from scratch, and primed an area to test other colors. And what color did I test? My favorite Devine Blade. And guess what, on the neutral primed wall this color suddenly looked fabulous! A couple hundred dollars in wasted paint later I was really kicking myself, as I once again drove off to the store to purchased more paint. This time the right color, Devine Blade!




Tip #5

Observe how the paint colors look during the day and at night.


Make sure to look at how the paint looks in different light, the color will change with the changing light! If you are loving one of the colors, proceed with confidence. But if the colors are not exactly what you were hoping for, try to determine what it is about the color you don't like and select additional choices to test.

I recently helped a client select a green paint color for her kitchen. We thought the right shade had been selected on our first attempt. But after the color was tested it appeared very minty on her walls. Knowing this characteristic was what we wanted to avoid, we again looked through fan deck and picked a similar color, but this time a green with a more earthy undertone. The second time was a charm!

Tip #6

Trial and Error.

So, selecting just the right paint colors can be a process of Trail and Error. The key is to be ready for this, understanding it will probably require a bit of time to find the right color. But hopefully, with a bit of patience, you'll find the perfect colors for your home and will find yourself painting happily ever after.


Enjoy your week!! Janell


Great tips Janell! I'll make sure I keep them in mind when I paint TJ's room;-) So, what do you think? Are you ready to go and tackle some painting?! Have you ever purchased a gallon of paint after seeing the chip in the store and you just knew it was the perfect shade only to be disappointed seeing it in your home? Let me hear about it!